2017’s Ave was a testament to the fact that Venom Inc is not just a thrown-together nostalgic act. Instead, Ave was a collection of hard-hitting metal songs that stayed true to the spirit of Venom but also proved to be a step forward. In a nutshell, it was the classic masters returning to show the kids how it’s supposed to be done while forging the beginning of a new chapter. As always, I went into the album with a sense of nervousness. Whenever a favorite band of mind puts out a new album, I always brace myself for the potential feeling of disappointment. However, I set the bar so high for the bands I love, and Venom Inc had no problem clearing that bar by a good country mile with There’s Only Black.
The opening track, “How Many Can Die,” was like getting pummeled by a sonic freight train. This song is a no bullshit, take no prisoners approach that reminds me a bit of how “Black Metal” opened the album of the same name. Before I could even wrap my head around what I was hearing, the second song, “Infinitum,” was kicking in. “How Many Can Die” is a juggernaut, and before I could even get further into the album, I had to hear it one more time.
The performances on There’s Only Black sound like a band at least ½ their age. However, there is a youthful fire and passion to the songs and the way they are delivered. Vocalist/bassist Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan clearly still has things to say after all these years, with his voice sounding stronger than just about any metal vocalist today. Dolan has a commanding presence, but it’s not off-putting. It’s actually quite welcoming, and he sounds like the kind of guy that would take a fist to the face for you in a bar fight only to turn around, laugh, and buy another round.
Speaking of youthful passion and energy, I feel most of this is due to the addition of American-born drummer Jeramie “War Machine” Kling. At the ripe young age of 40, Kling attacks the drums with all the power of Thor, making former drummer Abaddon sound like a worse time-keeping drummer than Lars Ulrich. Don’t get me wrong. Abaddon is a legend, but he clearly didn’t have to chops to keep up with Venom Inc, which is moving forward at a rapid pace. I mean, if the weight is getting heavy, you gotta drop me in order to keep going.
The highlight of the album for me is “Man As God.” Have you ever listened to a metal song, or any song for that matter, and said, “That is it?” So when I heard this song, I first thought this is what Venom Inc is about. It’s something old, something new, and something heavy as all fuck. So if someone asked me to describe what Venom Inc is all about, I would play them “Man As God” and just be like, “This is it. Love it or leave the hall.”
There’s Only Black is a modern classic from a band that has defied age and proved that the “old dudes” can still do it better than any of these youngins. Lyrically as powerful and intense as it is musically, There’s Only Black is about passion, fire, perseverance, and honesty. This album encapsulates everything I ever loved about this band without sounding tired or dragged through the quagmire. Hell, on my 5th listen by the album, I was so amped up I had to take a Xanax to calm down. There’s Only Black is a beautiful slab of metal that reminds me of why I fell in love with heavy metal as a young person and it is an album that I will go to when I need to be reminded of this.
There’s Only Black will be released on September 23rd on Nuclear Blast Records. Click HERE to pre-order the album.
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